THE COUNTDOWN CONTINUES....
Every one of these songs means something to me. Whether it's a lyric, a harmony, a chord change or a memory attached to it, these 10 songs all deserve to be in my Top 100 for one reason or another.
This list is flawed. The songs are just about perfect. But as expected, and as predicted by some of you, this task is daunting and will no doubt haunt me. What have I missed? Can I really include (insert song title) and not (insert song title)? Nevertheless, after considerable thought, and relentless editing, these songs make the cut.
These songs are sequenced in optimum playing order, not by rank.
We are down to the Top 100. Now, we have a ball game. And this ball game, by the way, is getting more difficult as I countdown.
61-70
Summer Wind- Frank Sinatra
This record sounds like everything on it was created exclusively for it. That organ, those horns! They can only be heard here. It soundtracked not only the best scene in "The Pope Of Greenwich Village," but hundreds of summer days and nights in my lifetime. A perfect summer song, if there ever was one, from an unlikely source. Iconic.
Summer Highland Falls- Billy Joel
My favorite Billy Joel song from my favorite Billy Joel album. Great playing by all and Joel's best lyrics. "Perhaps we don't fulfill each other's fantasies, it's either sadness or euphoria."
I Never Dreamed- The Cookies
I imagine this is what angels would sound like harmonizing. This one came to me years after it was released, courtesy of my favorite boxed set of all time, Rhino's "Girl Group Sounds." The Cookies are responsible for a few of my favorite songs, but this takes the cake.
To Sir With Love- Lulu
A great record, sure, but all the more powerful in the context of the film. I went to see Lulu perform about 10 years ago, strictly to hear this song and "Oh Me Oh My." She did the latter and it was wonderful. But she did "To Sir With Love" as a reggae tune, and I will never forgive her for that.
Caroline, No-The Beach Boys
Another work of art. A stunning arrangement with impossibly beautiful vocals. And that ending with the barking dog chasing the train never fails to give me chills.
It Makes No Difference- The Band
Rick Danko could break your heart singing "This Old Man." But when he sings "And the dawn don't rescue me no more," it's like a knife in my heart. Absolutely gorgeous. True heartbreak set to music.
Blue Red & Grey- The Who
I won't deny Roger Daltrey the title of one of the greatest voices in rock and roll. But more times than not, Pete effortlessly delivers more emotion. This killed me from Day One. Entwistle's mournful brass is the cherry on the cake. A real beauty.
Without You- Nilsson
There is no question this cover crushes Badfinger's original. A tour de force from Harry Nilsson. This will always take me back to the Al San Motel in Spring Lake, New Jersey. I heard it there first while sitting by the pool with my dad and grandparents and we were all thrown by the power of Harry's voice.
Drive All Night- Bruce Springsteen
"When I lost you honey sometimes I think I lost my guts too." And it only gets worse. I know Bruce fans who really don't like this song. Such is life. This one tears me apart. And when he performs it live, you can see his soul leave his body, as he pleads "through the rain, through the snow," over and over that "you've got my love, heart and soul, heart and soul, heart and soul." This is a damn love song!
Days- The Kinks
This has always been a favorite. But then I read this: "The only way to say goodbye is to be grateful and give thanks that the person was ever there at all." Ray Davies says this in the liner notes for that new collection "The Journey Part One," that was just released. His commentary, that line, just sent this track about 50 spots higher.
15 comments:
I had completely forgotten how moving that Who song is.
oh this is getting hardcore now. I can't even wrap my head around how I'd do a list like this -- half Beatles songs? No Beatles songs? Twenty Dylans?
My favorite Rhino boxed set is Beg, Scream & Shout but the Girl Group set (in the hat box?) is right up there too.
I will second "Summer Highland Falls" being peak Billy Joel from his best album (though I'd tie it with An Innocent Man and go back and forth on which is better).
There are Springsteen fans who don't like "Drive All Night?" Correction -- there are people who call themselves Springsteen fans who don't like "Drive All Night."
Yes to all and a few I have to listen to! So, ideal.
I can’t tell you how great it was to see “Blue, Red and Gray” on the list. Of all the masterpieces from Mr Townshend and the boys, this one has always stood out.
Ric's vocals on It Makes No Difference might be the greatest thing ever recorded, IMHO.
Damn. Another delivery of diamonds from the mine of time. I keep saying, the next batch is unlikely to be better than the last, but apparently wrong again ...
What I'm really enjoying about these selections isn't so much the frequent nods of agreement with your choices but the many times I find myself wondering how one gem or another has somehow managed to pass me by until now. I have this notion that I'd like Days played at my funeral - preferably the version Ray Davies recorded with the Crouch End Festival Chorus. It gets me everytime.
Always love Blue Red and Grey. Have you seen the youtube of Daltrey performing it live?
My next set. However I screwed up in the counting from my spreadsheet. I blame society. There are only 9 here so I can get back on track. My list of 91-100 was actually 90-100 and I just noticed that, so this is actually 61-69 for those playing at home Only one of Sal’s set — It Makes No Difference — is in my list (and it already appeared lower…)
I Predict A Riot -- Kaiser Chiefs A friend recommended the debut album by them when it came out. I think any of the first 6 songs on “Unemployment” are interchangeably fantastic, but this is the first one I heard. It’s angry, but poppy (with “la la la”s) at the same time. Better (but not by much) than “Ruby” that I listed earlier.
This Woman's Work -- Kate Bush A handful of songs brought tears to my eyes the first time I heard them based on the lyrics and the performance. This is one (most certainly being a father has something to do with it…)
For Love -- Lush One of those songs I wish I could go back and hear for the first time. There’s something about the chiming guitars, melody and angelic vocals that knock me out. The album this is from is the high point in their discography.
Dedicated To The One I Love -- The Mamas And The Papas. The breathless vocals of Michelle Phillips starting it off send me every time.. Yes, it’s a cover, but the arrangement is purely John Phillips and they made it their own
Your Love Alone Is Not Enough -- Manic Street Preachers. I had forgotten this song. I like (but not love) most stuff by the MSP, but this song came back on shuffle about 10 years ago and it hit at right the time and rocketed up to the pantheon of songs I can never get enough of.. What a melody in the chorus! Or is it the melody in the verse? I can never tell with songs like this and that’s why I love them.
Roadrunner -- The Modern Lovers 1-2-3-4-5-6! RADIO ON! Let’s be honest — sometimes all you need is 2 chords, man! I’m in love with rock and roll!
Solitary Man -- Neil Diamond The acoustic bass behind the minor chords. Neil’s 60s horn section. REM certainly borrowed heavily from this for “Driver 8”, didn’t they?
Who's Gonna Break The Ice -- Peter Case A deep cut! You can find this solo version on the soundtrack movie “The Wild Life” (which also has a great title track by Bananarama and a couple of other choice cuts on it) Peter’s first (?) post-Plimsouls release that was also (much later) found on some Plimsouls live set releases in the past decade or so. Should have been a big hit single. Check this studio version out!
Your Kisses Are Wasted On Me -- The Pipettes I can’t believe it’s been 20 years since this brilliant Girl-Group throwback album came out. Everything about this album is perfect. Almost “Get The Knack” perfect even! But Gwenno's vocal break that comes in twice in this song is transcendent and overcomes the pretty dumb chorus.
You hit it out the park with this one! (Too corny?)
I so look forward to these. The songs are awesome - your insights priceless. Thanks so much.
I've always favored Pete's vocals over Roger's, like you said, much more emotional.
As mentioned, Beg, Scream, and Shout is right up there for me with the box sets.
Sal, you're picks surprise me, and then, don't surprise me at the same time. I love hearing some of your favorites for the very first time.
I bow to your ability with this monumental task - it would fry my feeble brain to do this!
Another great list!
Randy
Great batch. The Sinatra and Band songs are my absolute faves by those artists and the Billy Joel is in my top 5. Going to check out the Peter Case as he/the Plimsouls are probably my favorite power poppers.
I can't emphasize enough how much I enjoy this exercise. I throw the tunes on my Ipod and it's like having my own radio station curated by someone who knows good music. Sublime! I'm right there with you with the love of harmonies but the two songs that have stood out for me are Gillian Welch's Elvis Presley Blues and the Who's Blue, Red and Grey which have minimal harmonies. Shake it like a Holly Roller baby with his soul at stake. Indeed.
This collection just gets better and better. Many thanks. Enjoying it sooo much.
All great songs!
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